Abstract: A communication control method in which a communication control unit A.sub.2 in an exclusive communication mode with a communication control unit A.sub.1 receives a requesting frame of an exclusive communication mode or broadcast communication frames from another communication control unit B. Unit B sends a communication frame for announcing an exclusive communication mode after receiving a NAK response from unit A.sub.2, sends message frames after the elapse of a predetermined time T.sub.1, and then sends a frame releasing the exclusive communication mode between Unit B and Unit A.sub.2 after sending the message frames. After receiving the announcing frame from unit B, unit A.sub.2 communicates with unit A.sub.1 to release the exclusive mode between them within the time T.sub.1, enters an exclusive mode with unit B, and then receives communication frames from unit B until it receives the frame of releasing the exclusive mode with unit B.

Abstract: A method, in a data communication receiver, for selectively alerting a user at specified times, wherein the data communication receiver includes an interface for transmitting data to a host computer and an annunciator for generating a sensible alert, comprises the steps of receiving (505) an alarm message, wherein the alarm message comprises information indicating a time, and storing (505) the time. The method further comprises the steps of determining (510) an interface status as being coupled to the host computer or detached from the host computer and selectively activating (520) the annunciator at the time in response to determining (510) the interface status.

Abstract: In a communication system for a plurality of terminals, a terminal control unit is connected between a call control unit and the terminals. The terminal control unit is associated with a memory unit having a group supervisory table for storing a relationship between group numbers and the terminals belonging thereto for message broadcasting. When a destination call message is supplied from the call control unit to the terminal control unit, a group number is analyzed from the destination call message. Then, a number of the terminals belonging to the analyzed group number are selected in accordance with the group supervisory table, and message broadcasting is performed upon the selected terminals.

Abstract: A selective call messaging peripheral (100) capable of receiving at least one message and communicating the at least one message to an electronic information processing device (200). An information signal is received and demodulated to provide a recovered information signal including an address signal and at least one message. A correlator (109) generates a detection indicating selection of the selective call messaging peripheral when the recovered address is substantially equivalent to a predetermined address. In response to selection of the selective call messaging peripheral (100), a PCMCIA communication interface (119) communicates the at least one message between the selective call messaging peripheral (100) and the electronic information processing device (200).

Abstract: A paging receiver system is provided that can be integrated as one function of a multi-function electronic card device adapted for insertion into a portable computing device. The paging receiver system preferably includes a frequency agile receiver for receiving paging signals, a driver-less interface for communicating the received paging signals to the computing device and a platform-transparent memory for storing the received paging signals. The frequency agile receiver includes a frequency synthesizer for generating a user selectable down conversion frequency that is combined by a mixer to produce a received paging signal at a predetermined intermediate frequency. The driver-less interface multiplexes the received paging signal with the output of a data modem such that the computing device requires only a driver interface for the data modem in order to receive both modem data and paging information.

Abstract: A communication system (100) for alerting a user based upon content of messages transmitted to the user includes a terminal (105) for generating and transmitting a message having first and second recipient identifications (IDs) and first and second alert codes. A radio receiver (110) receives the message and determines whether the first recipient ID is equivalent to an ID associated with the radio receiver (110). When the first recipient ID is equivalent to an ID associated with the radio receiver (110), the radio receiver (110) selects one of the at least first and second alert codes based upon a location of the first recipient ID within the message and generates an alert associated with the one of the at least first and second alert codes.

Abstract: A method for battery saving in a selective call receiver (20) that comprises a baud rate detector (210) and a receiver circuit (202) for receiving and demodulating a selective call signal. The selective call signal comprises a preamble (102) and a plurality of data batches. Each of the plurality of data batches further comprises a synchronization codeword (104) and a plurality of assigned data frames (106). The method (30) begins when a predetermined baud rate is detected in each of the plurality of assigned data frames (106) in one of the plurality of data batches. Upon detecting the predetermined baud rate, the selective call receiver (20) inactivates the receiver circuit (202) for the duration of the synchronization codeword (104) in a subsequent one of the plurality of data batches. Otherwise, the receiver circuit (202) remains activated during the synchronization codeword (104) of the subsequent one of the plurality of data batches.

Abstract: A method in a communications receiver (20) for handling a selective call message comprises the steps of measuring a parameter of the selective call message (104, 116) and selecting whether to provide the selective call message to a display (118) or a communications port (106) in response to measuring the parameter of the selective call message (104, 116). The communications receiver (20) can function as either a pager or a radio frequency (RF) modem. A controller (66) determines the parameters of the message and operates the communications receiver (20) as a pager or as an RF modem in response to the parameters measured.

Abstract: In a radio paging receiver for receiving a pager signal comprising a succession of frames each of which consists of a first through n-th group of signals, a first clock generating unit generates a first clock signal having a first clock rate. A synchronization clock generating unit generates a synchronization clock signal which is synchronized with digital word data derived from a receiving section and which has a synchronization clock rate equal to the first clock rate. A selecting circuit selects one of the first clock signals and the synchronization clock signal as a selected clock signal. A counter carries out a counting operation by the use of the selected clock signal and produces a counted signal. Responsive to the counted signal, a control circuit produces a control signal to make a battery saving switch have an "on" state and to make the synchronization clock generating unit have an active state.

Abstract: A paging receiver of the present invention includes a decoder for processing a paging number and a message signal of a transmitted radio signal and receives the radio signal selectively by comparing the paging number with a predetermined paging number of the receiver. A timer stamps the message signal with current time when the paging number coincides with the predetermined paging number of the receiver. A memory stores message signals already received and stamped with time information. The message signal stamped with current time is compared with the message signals stamped with received time stored in the memory and, when contents of these message signals are coincident and a difference in time between these message signals is within a predetermined time, the message signal is deemed as an urgent message and an urgent report is performed.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for switching between two input sources to a television receiver and/or video recording device. Switching may be carried out with a conventional remote control otherwise dedicated to the video recorder or television receiver by holding down a control button thereof for at least a predetermined interval of time, for example two seconds. Five RF diode switches along with solid state logic components are employed to respond to the remotely developed switching signals for carrying out TV receiver and VCR source selections by the viewer. The pre-existing television or VCR operational status is not affected by the remote controllers where an ongoing channel selection simply is reinforced or a function of the remote controller is elected which has no undesired effect upon that ongoing operational status.

Abstract: A remote-control signal receiver includes an input apparatus to input remote-control signals consisting of data trains repeated at a predetermined frequency, a data incorporating apparatus by which the remote control data derived from the remote-control signal is incorporated into a micro-computer by using the input apparatus, a setting apparatus by which the blank period between the data trains of the remote-control signal incorporated by using the input apparatus is set, and a limiting apparatus to limit the data incorporation period.

Abstract: Group message delivery in a time multiplexed paging system is accomplished by providing in normal message packets a group ring indicator. A paging device collecting a message interrogates the group ring indicator to determine availability of a pending group message. If a group message is available, the paging device can target a dedicated time slot associated with group message transmission. In this manner, a single transmission of a group message is made available to all paging devices of the paging system. In one embodiment, the group ring indicator is a single bit indicating merely availability of a pending group message, the paging device then targeting and collecting the available group message to determine whether the paging device subscribes to that particular group message service. In a second embodiment, the group ring indicator indicates not only availability of a group message, but also the type of group message available.

Abstract: An updatable, interrogation system is provided for simultaneously interrogating a plurality of portable data cards. Operable over a plurality of radio frequencies, the interrogation system sequentially communicates with each portable data card as it comes within communication range on a first one of the plurality of radio frequencies for determining a unique identification number associated with each data card. Once the identification number for a card is obtained by the interrogation system, a predetermined transaction, such as deactivating an electronic barrier to entering a limited access area, for the holder of the identified card is initiated. The interrogation system then selects and moves with each card to a different one of the plurality of radio frequencies for completing a data transfer portion of the transaction.

Abstract: An electronic device (100) comprises a circuit carrying substrate (300) having an electronic circuit pattern (301) formed thereon, at least one component (302) having leads (304) for electrically coupling the at least one component (302) to the electronic circuit pattern (301) formed on the circuit carrying substrate (300), and a thermoplastic coating (200, 200') for covering the leads (304) of the at least one component (302) to insulate the leads (304) thereof.

Abstract: A portable radio device (106) has a first operational mode and a second operational mode, and includes a receiver (314), a controller (315), and a mode control device (350). The receiver (314) receives an indexed information message. The controller (315) stores an authorized information field list and is coupled to the receiver (314). The controller (315) decodes the indexed information message, generates an index portion of the decoded indexed information message, and generates a mode control schedule determined by the index portion and the authorized information field list. The mode control device (350) is coupled to the controller (315) for controlling the first and second modes of the portable radio device according to the mode control schedule.

Abstract: A remote control device controls an electronic system that has a number of functions. The remote control device has a limited number of function keys, and certain keys correspond to different functions of the electronic system. In order to permit discrimination of the function keys, the length of time during which the function key is actuated is employed in the electronic system. To prevent erroneous control caused by artificial interruption of the control signal, the remote control device appends one of two different time code signals to the key code corresponding to the actuated function key, whereby discrimination of the actuation time at the electronic system is made possible.

Abstract: An electronic device having operational parameters comprises a receiver (11) for receiving a signal and a microprocessor (12) for monitoring (21) the status of the operational parameters. An output device (15) presents (31) a voice message when the status of one of the operational parameters exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: A system for electronically displaying item data available in updatable form from a computer, such as item prices, for purchaser viewing. The system provides an infrared encoded signal containing item data applicable to an item on a shelf associated with an electronic display unit. The electronic display unit receives, decodes and displays the data relating to the item. The display units include a display for displaying the data; a photovoltaic cell for providing all necessary power without need for any other external or internal power source; a controller; and a non-volatile, semiconductor memory powered by the photovoltaic cell for retaining the data even in the absence of light energy being applied to the photovoltaic cell. Upon receiving the encoded signal, the display unit determines that the infrared encoded signal is intended for it, and if so, it prepares and displays the data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus control message transmissions in an acknowledge-back selective call communication system (100) including an infrastructure (102) and a selective call receiver (120). The selective call receiver (120) stores received messages in a memory (322). The infrastructure (102) transmits (604) to the selective call receiver (120) information including the length (408) of a pending message, and the selective call receiver (120) determines (606) therefrom a response (412, 504) based upon the length (408) of the pending message and memory space available in the memory (322). The selective call receiver (120) transmits (608) the response (412, 504) to the infrastructure (102), and the infrastructure (102) controls further processing of the pending message in accordance with the response (412, 504).